Weekly Letter from Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of Saint Benedict:

Advent. It is a time of preparation, yes, and a time for waiting. Waiting is perhaps our most important lesson during this season. If I am like most of you (or if most of you are like me) we are both accustomed to waiting and yet very annoyed by it. The traffic jams, lines in stores and, especially those places that are supposed to be “fast service,” along with just the ordinary daily waiting on and for things, people, and stuff, gets very frustrating. I believe that a great lesson in Advent is a trip to the DMV! We all need to slow down and develop patience.

For children waiting this time of the year comes with the added enthusiasm of anticipation. Santa Claus is on his way! I guess everyone else is happy that there is an added week for the Christmas rush this year!

In any case, the point is, that we focus on waiting during Advent for the coming of the Lord into our lives. We are always conscious that each and every day we encounter Jesus in one another, and in the many experiences that come our way. To find God in all things is the challenge for us as Christians. Let us use this Advent Season to patiently wait for the Lord to act.

With Advent also comes a change in perspective. The violet colors, slightly subdued but anticipatory decorations, and the appearance of the Advent Wreath. I am sure you have noticed our new Advent Wreath. “Thank you” to Bob and Pete for the design and construction of this wreath. Suspending the wreath from the ceiling gives it full visibility to the church while also giving us a sense of the importance of the Season. The wreath stand which we formerly used now graces the hall of the school, enabling the students to be mindful to Advent as they go through the building. It might look and feel like Christmas, but we are an Advent people, awaiting and anticipating the coming of the Lord at every point in life.

The Advent Wreath, as I have mentioned before, is properly a home ritual that has come into the Church and not the other way around. Many people also employ the old German tradition of the Advent Calendar in the home as a countdown reminder to the celebration of Christmas. We want the season to move forward, but we want to allow it to happen one day at a time, savoring each moment of waiting. This is why the Advent Calendars were traditionally filled with treats. There is joy in waiting. Christmas is its own season. The Liturgical celebration of Christmas begins on the evening of December 24th and concludes (this year) on January 8th. We want it to look and feel like Advent as long as possible.

Hopefully you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Keep sane and safe during these crazy Advent days ahead.

Fr. Garry Koch